Happy Birthday Katy Hill!

Katy,

It’s hard to believe that a birthday is passing and I’m not celebrating with you. I was thinking back on the many friendships I’ve had and wondering how ours has made it through so many things, while others have faded away over the years. What I came up with was this. You’re not a fair-weathered friend. I can sit beside you for hours and be ok with the fact that sometimes we don’t have to fill the silence. I can call you in the middle of the night if I’m home alone and scared. Or, even though it kills you to get out of bed early, you would still wake up in the morning if I needed anything. You love me when I’m right and when I’m wrong. When I’m in the wrong, which has happened many times, you stand up for me and then ask questions later. You support my crazy and random decisions in life that some people just don’t get, including the World Race :). You’ve given me advice when I dated the wrong people, and shown grace when I repeatedly made the same mistakes. All the while, still loving me and supporting me in my decisions. Laughing about it with me, but still showing the heart behind your words.  You’re the first to call me out on my stubborness and attitude, but the last to let someone else do it. I’ll call you out on your ten showers and repeated face washes a day, but still deal with it because it’s you. You’ll be the first to tell me if my hair or outfit looks ridiculous, or if I’ve eaten one too many cookies and need to hit the treadmill :). You helped me get through my first year of teaching, even though you were adjusting to teaching as well. So, basically we’ve stayed friends because we’re real with each other, you’re a baller, and I love you :). So many students are blessed to have you as their teacher; your patience and love is truly amazing. I am so proud to call you my best friend. Miss you so much! 

Love you,

Stacey